Method for conveying sheet member and sheet member-conveying apparatus

ABSTRACT

Provided is a method for conveying a sheet member while the sheet member is supported by a roller member, the method including: detecting forces applied, by the sheet member supported by the roller member, to regions at both ends in a width direction of the roller member, respectively, as force components in a plurality of mutually different directions; and adjusting the force components in the regions at both ends in the width direction to a specific balance based on the detection results for the plurality of force components.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-95687, filed on May 8, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a method for conveying a sheet member and a sheet member-conveying apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, a method for conveying a sheet member such as a film while being supported by roller members has been used.

Examples of the roller members used in such a conveying method include roller members used as a drive roller configured to convey a sheet member to the downstream side by being driven to rotate and a driven roller configured to freely rotate with the movement of the sheet member. The drive roller and the driven roller can be used individually, or also as a pair of nip rollers configured to form a nip portion.

In the roller members of this type, these roller members are generally installed accurately so that the rotation axis of each roller member is parallel to the roller members on the front and rear sides (on the upstream side and the downstream side) and is perpendicular to the conveyance direction.

However, the tension in the width direction of the sheet member becomes non-uniform because of the reasons such as parallel failure when installing the roller members, conveyance disturbance of the sheet member derived from external factors such as wind, variation in weight in the plane direction derived from variation in thickness of the sheet member, sagging of the sheet member derived from the self-weight, and the elastic deformation of the sheet member. As a result, the sheet member meanders. Further, when the non-uniformity in tension increases, a side (one side) on which the tension in the width direction of the sheet member is not applied is lifted up from the roller members. Thereby, the sheet member slips on the roller members, as a result of which defects such as damages on the back surface of the sheet member, wrinkles, and winding failure occur.

Therefore, in order to reduce such defects, a method for conveying a sheet member in which the tension deviation applied from the sheet member to both ends in the width direction of the roller members is detected, and the roller members are turned about their center in the width direction, based on the obtained detection results has been proposed, for example. According to such a method for conveying a sheet member, the tension balance when conveying the sheet member can be controlled to be uniform (see Patent Literature 1).

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: JP 2008-44787 A

SUMMARY Technical Problem

However, there have been cases where the tension variation when conveying a sheet member cannot be sufficiently reduced even by using such a method for conveying a sheet member as disclosed in Patent Literature 1 above.

In view of the aforementioned circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for conveying a sheet member and a sheet member-conveying apparatus which are capable of sufficiently reducing the tension variation when conveying the sheet member.

Solution to Problem

The inventors have diligently studied on forces applied to a roller member when a sheet member is conveyed by the roller member. As a result, they have found that there is a difference between the tension applied to the roller member from the portion on the upstream side of the contact portion with the roller member of the sheet member (the portion moving toward the roller member) and the tension applied to the roller member from the portion on the downstream side thereof (the portion moving away from the roller member). Further, based on this understanding, the reason why the tension variation is not sufficiently controlled to be uniform in the case of using the sheet conveying method as disclosed in Patent Literature 1 above was diligently studied. As a result, they have found that the reason why the aforementioned variation is not sufficiently controlled to be uniform is that the forces applied on both end sides in the width direction of the roller member are detected as one force as a whole in Patent Literature 1. That is, they found that the reason why the aforementioned variation is not sufficiently controlled to be uniform is that the tension from the portion on the upstream side and the tension from the downstream side are detected as a single resultant force. Further, as a result of further diligent studies based on these understandings, they have found that more accurate detection than in conventional techniques can be achieved by detecting the difference between the forces applied to both end sides in the width direction of the roller member as force components in a plurality of mutually different directions. Further, they have found that the reasons of the tension variation can be sufficiently removed by adjusting the thus accurately detected force components on both end sides in the width direction to a specific balance. Further, they have found that the tension variation when conveying the sheet member can be thereby reduced sufficiently, and as a result, the tension variation can be controlled to be more uniform than in conventional techniques, to accomplish the present invention.

That is, a method for conveying a sheet member according to the present invention is a method for conveying a sheet member while the sheet member is supported by a roller member, the method including: detecting forces applied, by the sheet member supported by the roller member, to regions at both ends in a width direction of the roller member, respectively, as force components in a plurality of mutually different directions; and adjusting the force components in the regions at both ends in the width direction to a specific balance based on the detection results for the plurality of force components.

Further, in the method for conveying a sheet member configured as above, it is preferable that the force components be adjusted in the adjustment so that a difference between the force components that correspond to each other in the regions at both ends in the width direction is reduced. Here, the difference between the force components that correspond to each other means the difference between the force components in mutually corresponding directions.

Further, in the method for conveying a sheet member configured as above, it is preferable that the sheet member be conveyed while being supported by at least a first roller member and a second roller member arranged on at least one of an upstream side and a downstream side of the first roller member, the force components in the regions at both ends in the width direction of the first roller member be detected in the detection, and the force components in the regions at both ends in the width direction be adjusted to the specific balance in the adjustment by adjusting arrangement of at least one of the the first and second roller members.

Further, in the method for conveying a sheet member configured as above, it is preferable that the roller member be a drive roller configured to be driven by a rotational driving force.

Further, in the method for conveying a sheet member configured as above, it is preferable that a plurality of forces selected from six forces that are three forces along three mutually different directions and three moments that rotate about the three directions serving as axes be detected in the detection as the force components in the plurality of directions.

A sheet member-conveying apparatus according to the present invention is a sheet member-conveying apparatus configured to convey a sheet member, the apparatus including: a roller member configured to convey the sheet member to a downstream side while supporting the sheet member; a detection unit configured to detect forces applied, by the sheet member supported by the roller member, to both end sides in a width direction of the roller member, respectively, as force components in a plurality of mutually different directions; and an adjustment unit configured to adjust the force components on both end sides in the width direction to a specific balance based on the detection results for the plurality of force components.

Further, in the sheet member-conveying apparatus configured as above, it is preferable that the adjustment unit be configured to adjust the force components that correspond to each other in the regions at both ends in the width direction so that a difference between the force components is reduced. Here, the difference between the force components that correspond to each other means the difference between the force components in mutually corresponding directions.

Further, in the sheet member-conveying apparatus configured as above, it is preferable that the roller member include a first roller member and a second roller member arranged on at least one of an upstream side and a downstream side of the first roller member, the detection unit detect the force components in the regions at both ends in the width direction of the first roller member, and the adjustment unit be configured to adjust the force components in the regions at both ends in the width direction to the specific balance by adjusting arrangement of at least one of the first and second roller members.

Further, in the sheet member-conveying apparatus configured as above, it is preferable that the roller member be a drive roller configured to be driven by a rotational driving force.

Further, in the sheet member-conveying apparatus configured as above, it is preferable that the detection unit be configured to detect a plurality of forces selected from six forces that are three forces along three mutually different directions and three moments that rotate about the three directions serving as axes, as the force components in the plurality of directions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a sheet member-conveying apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic partial perspective view showing the periphery of a detection unit and an adjustment unit of the conveying apparatus in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view showing the periphery of the detection unit and the adjustment unit of the conveying apparatus in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing directions of forces detected by the detection unit in the conveying apparatus in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing directions of forces that can be measured by the detection unit in the conveying apparatus in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a sheet member-conveying apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic partial perspective view showing the periphery of a detection unit and an adjustment unit of the conveying apparatus in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view showing a sheet member-conveying apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view showing a sheet member-conveying apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First, a sheet member-conveying apparatus and a method for conveying the sheet member according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a conveying apparatus 1 of this embodiment configured to convey a sheet member 30 includes: a feeder 3 configured to unwinding the strip-shaped sheet member 30 from a roll body 31 formed by winding the sheet member 30 so as to feed the sheet member 30 to a desired position A; a collecting part 5 configured to wind up the sheet member 30 having undergone a desired process at the desired position A so as to collect the sheet member 30 as a roll body 33; first and second roller members 7 and 8 arranged between the feeder 3 and the position A and configured to convey the sheet member 30 to the downstream side while supporting the sheet member 30; two detection units 21 and 21′ configured to detect forces applied by the sheet member 30 to regions at both ends in the width direction of the roller member 7 as a plurality of mutually different force components (which are herein two force components F1 and F2 on one end side and two force components F1′ and F2′ on the other end side); an adjustment unit 23 configured to adjust the force component F1 or F2′ and the force component F1′ or F2′ (that is, the force component F1 or F2 on one end side and the force component F1′ or F2′ on the other end side) in the regions at both ends in the width direction to a specific balance, based on the detection results for the force components F1, F2, F1′, and F2′ detected by the detection units 21 and 21′; and a control unit 25 configured to control the adjustment unit 23 to adjust the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ in the regions at both ends in the width direction to the specific balance, based on the detection results for the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ detected by the detection units 21 and 21′. Further, the second roller member 8 is arranged on the downstream side of the first roller member 7.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the adjustment unit 23 is configured to adjust the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ so that the difference between the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ that correspond to each other in the regions at both ends in the width direction is reduced, based on the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ detected by the detection units 21 and 21′. Further, the control unit 25 is configured to control the adjustment unit 23 to adjust the arrangement of the first roller member 7, based on the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ detected by the detection units 21 and 21′. The regions at both ends in the width direction of the roller member 7 are preferably regions that are respectively closer to both ends than the center in the width direction of the roller member 7.

The sheet member 30 has a strip shape and is not specifically limited as long as it has flexibility so as to be conveyed while being supported on the surfaces of the first and second roller members 7 and 8. Examples of the sheet member 30 include a sheet member formed from a resin material.

The feeder 3 is configured to unwind the sheet member 30 from the roll body 31 formed by winding the sheet member 30 into a roll. Examples of the feeder 3 include an unwinding device. The collecting part 5 is configured to wind up the sheet member 30 which has been subjected to a desired process at the position A so as to collect it as the roll body 33. Examples of the collecting part 5 include a winding device.

The first and second roller members 7 and 8 are configured to convey the sheet member 30 such as a film. Specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first and second roller members 7 and 8 are configured to convey the sheet member 30, for example, to the desired position A such as a coating position where a coating film is formed on the sheet member 30. In another embodiment, the first and second roller members 7 and 8 may be arranged, for example, between the position A and the collecting part 5 so as to convey the sheet member 30 from the position A to the collecting part 5. Further, the first and second roller members 7 and 8 are configured to rotate, specifically, to rotate by being driven by a drive unit, which is not shown, or to rotate following the movement of the film.

Examples of the first and second roller members 7 and 8 include a drive roller including a roller part and configured to convey the sheet member 30 to the downstream side by the roller part being driven to rotate, and a driven roller including a roller part which freely rotates with the movement of the sheet member 30. In this embodiment, an embodiment in which the first and second roller members 7 and 8 are driven rollers is employed.

Further, in this embodiment, the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ in the regions at both ends in the width direction of the first roller member 7 are configured to be detected by the detection units 21 and 21′. The first roller member 7 has an axle core 11 and a roller part 13 configured to rotate with respect to the axle core 11 about the axle core 11 serving as the center, and is configured to move the sheet member 30 to the downstream side by rotating about the axle core 11 while being in contact with the sheet member 30 on the surface of the roller part 13. The first roller member 7 may be configured so that the roller part 13 rotates with the axle core 11.

Further, the first roller member 7 is arranged at a position where a portion 30 a on the upstream side of a contact portion S with the first roller member 7 of the sheet member 30 and a portion 30 b on the downstream side thereof intersect each other at a specific angle (see FIG. 4).

The detection units 21 and 21′ are configured to detect forces applied by the sheet member 30 to the regions at both ends in the width direction of the first roller member 7 as the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ in a plurality of mutually different directions perpendicular to the first roller member 7, respectively, at both end side. Further, the detection units 21 and 21′ are configured to detect the force components F1 and F1′ in the direction parallel to the portion 30 a on the upstream side of the sheet member 30 and the force components F2 and F2′ in the direction parallel to the portion 30 b on the downstream side, respectively

Here, as shown in FIG. 4, forces are applied to each of both ends 11 a and 11 b in the width direction of the axle core 11 of the first roller member 7 due to a tension T1 applied to the first roller member 7 from the portion 30 a on the upstream side of the contact portion S of the sheet member 30 and a tension T2 applied to the first roller member 7 from the portion 30 b on the downstream side thereof.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the detection units 21 and 21′ are configured to classify the total forces applied to each of the ends 11 a and 11 b due to the tensions T1 and T2 into forces in two directions perpendicular to the axle core 11 and parallel respectively to the portion 30 a on the upstream side of the contact portion S of the sheet member 30 and the portion 30 b on the downstream side thereof so as to detect the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ in the respective directions. The detection unit 21 on the end 11 a side is configured to detect the force components F1 and F2, and the detection unit 21′ on the end 11 b side is configured to detect the force components F1′ and F2′. When viewed along the width direction of the first roller member 7 (when viewed as in FIG. 4), the direction parallel to the portion 30 a on the upstream side corresponds to the direction of the tangent line of the sheet member 30 to the first roller member 7 on the end edge on the upstream side of the contact portion S, and the direction parallel to the portion 30 b on the downstream side corresponds to the direction of the tangent line of the sheet member 30 to the first roller member 7 on the end edge on the downstream side of the contact portion S.

The detection units 21 and 21′ are not specifically limited as long as they can detect the plurality of force components Fi and F2 and force components F1′ and F2′. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a 6-component load cell configured to detect a plurality of forces selected from six forces that are three forces [(Fa, Fb, and Fc) or (Fa′, Fb′, and Fc′)] along any three mutually different directions (direction a, direction b, and direction c) and three moments [(Ma, Mb, and Mc) or (Ma′, Mb′, and Mc′)] that rotate about the three directions serving as axes, as force components in the plurality of directions can be employed as each of the detection units 21 and 21′. For example, such 6-component load cells can detect the forces Fb and Fb′ in the direction b and the forces Fc and Fc′ in the direction c out of the aforementioned six forces, respectively, as the force components Fi and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′. Though not shown in the figure, in the case where a 6-component load cell is employed as the detection unit 21′, the 6-component load cell can detect a plurality of forces selected from six forces that are three forces (Fa′, Fb′, and Fc′) along any three mutually different directions (direction a, direction b, and direction c) and three moments (Ma′, Mb′, and Mc′) that rotate about the three directions serving as axes, as force components in the plurality of directions, as described for the detection unit 21 in FIG. 5.

Two 6-component load cells configured as above are arranged so as to respectively contact the end edges at both ends 11 a and 11 b in the width direction of the axle core 11 of the first roller member 7. Thereby, they are configured to detect the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ at both ends 11 a and 11 b in the width direction of the axle core 11 to determine the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ as the force components in the regions at both ends in the width direction of the first roller member 7.

Here, in the case of using the 6-component load cells as the detection units 21 and 21′ and employing an embodiment in which the following three premises are established will be described: (1) The relative angles of the detection axis (the axis in the direction to be detected) to each axis (Fa, Fb, and Fc) or (Fa′, Fb′, and Fc′) are known; (2) The relative angle of the portion 30 a on the upstream side (feeding side) of the contact portion S with the first roller member 7 of the sheet member 30 to the portion 30 b on the downstream side (discharge side) thereof is also known; and (3) Of the loads received by the detection units 21 and 21′, the loads received from parts other than the sheet member 30 do not change depending on the presence or absence of the sheet member 30.

In this case, the loads (forces) of the six components detected by the detection units 21 and 21′ include the loads (external force vectors) received from parts other than the sheet member 30, such as loads (forces) generated due to the relative angles of the detection axes and loads (forces) of the detection units 21 and 21′, in addition to the load (force) received from the sheet member 30, and thus a resultant force vector is formed in each of the six components in the state where the loads received from parts other than the sheet member 30 are included. Therefore, the detection units 21 and 21′ are configured to calculate loads (forces) derived only from the tensions received from the portion 30 a on the upstream side of the sheet member 30 and the portion 30 b on the downstream side thereof, out of the six components by subtracting the external force vectors from the resultant force vector of the six components. Further, the force components F1 and F2 or the force components F1′ and F2′ composed of two components [(Fb and Fc) or (Fb′ and Fc′)] of the six components are set to be sent to the control unit 25 so as to be used for the control by the control unit 25.

In the case where the relative angles between the axes are changed in the aforementioned premise (1), the relative angle of the portion 30 a on the upstream side to the portion 30 b on the downstream side is changed in the aforementioned premise (2), or still other loads affect the sheet member 30 in the aforementioned premise (3), the setting may be changed so that the detection units 21 and 21′ calculate (extract) only the loads derived from the tensions of the sheet member 30 by adjusting the external force vectors to be subtracted from the aforementioned resultant force vector corresponding to such a state.

Further, the detection units 21 and 21′ are configured to transmit the detection results for the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ as electronic data to the control unit 25.

The adjustment unit 23 is configured to adjust the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ to a specific balance, based on the detection results for the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′. Here, the fact that the absolute value of the difference between the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ that correspond to each other is less than a specific value (within an acceptable range) is employed as making the specific balance. In addition to adjusting the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ so that the absolute value of the difference therebetween is less than the specific value (within the acceptable range), the adjustment unit 23 is configured to further adjust the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ so that the difference therebetween is reduced, while adjusting the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ so that the absolute value of the difference therebetween is less than the specific value. Further, the adjustment unit 23 is configured to adjust the arrangement of the first roller member 7. The aforementioned specific value (acceptable range) is preferably set to 5% or less of the average of the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ that correspond to each other.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, two adjustment units 23 are provided corresponding respectively to the regions at both ends of the first roller member 7.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the adjustment unit 23 includes: a support shaft 23 a arranged above the end 11 a or 11 b of the axle core 11 of the roller member 7; an arm 23 b with one end being coupled to the support shaft 23 a so as to be rotatable with respect to the support shaft 23 a and the other end being swingable about the support shaft 23 a; a piston 23 c coupled to the other end of the arm 23 b; and a cylinder 23 d such as an air cylinder configured to swing the arm 23 b by extending and retracting the piston 23 c.

Further, the adjustment unit 23 is configured to move the end 11 a or 11 b of the axle core 11 in a direction away from the cylinder 23 d by the cylinder 23 d extending the piston 23 c from the cylinder 23 d. That is, the adjustment unit 23 is configured to move the end 11 a or 11 b of the axle core 11 to the downstream side in the moving direction of the sheet member 30, in the direction in which the portion 30 a on the upstream side of the contact portion S of the sheet member 30 extends.

Meanwhile, the adjustment unit 23 is configured to move the end 11 a or 11 b of the axle core 11 in a direction approaching the cylinder 23 d by the cylinder 23 d retracting the piston 23 c into the cylinder 23 d. That is, the adjustment unit 23 is configured to move the end 11 a or 11 b of the axle core 11 to the upstream side in the moving direction of the sheet member 30, in the direction in which the portion 30 a on the upstream side of the contact portion S of the sheet member 30 extends.

In this way, the adjustment unit 23 is configured to adjust the arrangement of the first roller member 7 by moving the end 11 a or 11 b of the axle core 11, thereby reducing the difference between the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ (difference between force components that correspond to each other) so as to allow the tension balance in the sheet member 30 to be sufficiently uniform.

Further, the adjustment unit 23 is configured to adjust the arrangement of the first roller member 7 by extending and retracting the piston 23 c relative to the cylinder 23 d, as described above, based on the command from the control unit 25.

The control unit 25 is configured to control the adjustment unit 23 to adjust the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ to the specific balance, based on the detection results (the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′) by the detection units 21 and 21′.

Specifically, the control unit 25 can allow the adjustment of the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ thus detected to the specific balance, for example, by adjusting the arrangement of the roller members arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side of the first roller member 7 (which is herein the second roller member 8 on the downstream side), other than adjusting the arrangement of the first roller member 7 as a target for which these force components are detected, as will be described below.

More specifically, the control unit 25 can reduce each difference between the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ that correspond to each other by controlling the adjustment unit 23 to adjust the arrangement of the first roller member 7.

Further, the control unit 25 is a function to calculate each difference between the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ received, a function to adjust the absolute value of the difference to be less than a specific value, and further a function to control the adjustment unit 23 to adjust the arrangement of the first roller member 7 (that is, the positions at the end 11 a or 11 b of the axle core 11 of the roller member 7) so that the difference is reduced as much as possible. Examples of the control unit 25 include a central processing unit (CPU).

Subsequently, a method for conveying the sheet member 30 using the aforementioned conveying apparatus 1 will be described.

The method for conveying the sheet member 30 of this embodiment is a method for conveying the sheet member 30 while the sheet member 30 is supported by the first roller member 7, the method including: detecting forces applied, by the sheet member 30 supported by the first roller member 7, to the regions at both ends in the width direction of the first roller member 7 as the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ in a plurality of mutually different directions perpendicular to the first roller member 7 (detection step); and adjusting the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ in the regions at both ends in the width direction to the aforementioned specific balance, based on the detection results for the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ in the plurality of directions (adjustment step). Further, the sheet member 30 is herein conveyed by the first roller member 7 and the second roller member 8 arranged on the downstream side of the first roller member 7. Further, the arrangement of the first roller member 7 is herein adjusted so that the difference between the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ that correspond to each other is reduced, based on the detection results for the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′, as the adjustment step.

Specifically, in the conveying apparatus 1, the sheet member 30 is unwound from the roll body 31 by the feeder 3 and is conveyed to the desired position A by the first and second roller members 7 and 8.

At this time, the detection step of detecting forces applied to the regions at both ends in the width direction of the first roller member 7 as the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ in a plurality of mutually different directions (the aforementioned direction b and direction c) perpendicular to the first member 7 is performed. More specifically, in the detection step, the force components F1 and F1′ in the direction parallel to the portion 30 a on the upstream side of the sheet member 30 (the aforementioned direction b) and the force components F2 and F2′ in the direction parallel to the portion 30 b on the downstream side thereof (the aforementioned direction c) are detected, respectively, by the 6-component load cells serving as the detection units 21 and 21′, and the detection results (the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′) are transmitted to the control unit 25 as electronic data.

Subsequently in the adjustment step, the control unit 25 actuates the adjustment unit 23 to adjust the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ received to a pre-set specific balance. Specifically, the control unit 25 calculates each difference between the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ received, and actuates the adjustment unit 23 to adjust the arrangement of the first roller member 7 (that is, the positions at both ends 11 a and 11 b of the axle core 11 of the roller member 7) so that the absolute value of the difference is less than the specific value, and further the absolute value of the difference is reduced as much as possible, while the absolute value of the difference is less than the specific value.

More specifically, for example, in the case where the first force component F1 (or the second force component F2) on the one end (the first end) 11 a side of the axle core 11 of the roller member 7 is larger than the third force component F1′ (or the fourth force components F2′) on the other end (the second end) 11 b side thereof, and the absolute value of the difference between the first force component F1 (or the second force component F2) and the third force component F1′ (or the fourth force component F2′) is calculated to be the specific value or more, the control unit 25 retracts the piston 23 c of the adjustment unit 23 located on the first end 11 a side (the detection unit 21 side) into the cylinder 23 d, so as to move the first end 11 a of the axle core 11 toward the upstream side in the moving direction of the sheet member 30 in the extending direction of the portion 30 a on the upstream side. Meanwhile, in the case where the first force component F1 (or the second force component F2) is smaller than the third force component F1′ (or the fourth force component F2′), and the absolute value of the difference between the first force component F1 (or the second force component F2) and the third force component F1′ (or the fourth force component F2′) is calculated to be the specific value or more, the control unit 25 extends the piston 23 c of the adjustment unit 23 on the first end 11 a side from the cylinder 23 d, so as to move the first end 11 a of the axle core 11 toward the downstream side in the moving direction. Thus, each difference between the first force component F1 or the second force component F2 and the third force component F1′ or the fourth force component F2′ is reduced. Thereby, the first force component F1 or the second force component F2 and the third force component F1′ or the fourth force component F2′ in the regions at both ends in the width direction of the sheet member 30 are adjusted to the specific balance.

Meanwhile, for example, in the case where the third force component F1′ (or the fourth force component F2′) on the other end (the second end) 11 b side of the axle core 11 of the roller member 7 is larger than the first force component F1 (or the second force component F2) on the one end (the first end) 11 a side, and the absolute value of the difference between the first force component F1 (or the second force component F2) and the third force component F1′ (or the fourth force component F2′) is calculated to be the specific value or more, the control unit 25 retracts the piston 23 c of the adjustment unit 23 located on the second end 11 b side (the detection unit 21′ side) into the cylinder 23 d, so as to move the second end 11 b of the axle core 11 toward the upstream side in the moving direction of the sheet member 30 in the extending direction of the portion 30 a on the upstream side. Meanwhile, in the case where the third force component F1′ (or the fourth force component F2′) is smaller than the first force component F1 (or the second force component F2), and the absolute value of the difference between the first force component F1 (or the second force component F2) and the third force component F1′ (or the fourth force component F2′) is calculated to be the specific value or more, the control unit 25 extends the piston 23 c of the adjustment unit 23 on the second end 11 b side from the cylinder 23 d, so as to move the second end 11 b of the axle core 11 toward the downstream side in the moving direction. Thus, each difference between the first force component F1 or the second force component F2 and the third force component F1′ or the fourth force component F2′ is reduced. Thereby, the first force component F1 or the second force component F2 and the third force component F1′ or the fourth force component F2′ in the regions at both ends in the width direction of the sheet member 30 are adjusted to the specific balance.

Further, other than above, it is also possible to adjust the arrangement of the first roller member 7, for example, by appropriately combining the extension and retraction of both of the piston 23 c of the adjustment unit 23 on one side and the piston 23 c of the adjustment unit 23 on the other side of the two adjustment units 23.

Then, while the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ in the regions at both ends in the width direction of the sheet member 30 is adjusted to the specific balance, the sheet member 30 is conveyed to the desired position A by the first roller member 7 and further the second roller member 8. After the sheet member 30 is subjected to a desired process at the position A, the sheet member 30 is wound up from the position A by the collecting part 5 to be collected as the roll body 33. Examples of the position A include a position where a coating liquid is applied to the sheet member 30.

As described above, the conveying apparatus 1 of this embodiment is the conveying apparatus 1 configured to convey the sheet member 30 including: the roller member (the first roller member) 7 configured to convey the sheet member 30 to the downstream side while supporting the sheet member 30; the detection units 21 and 21′ configured to detect forces applied, by the sheet member 30 supported by the roller member 7, to the regions at both ends in the width direction of the roller member 7, respectively, as force components in a plurality of mutually different directions (which are herein the two force components F1 and F2 on one end side and the two force components F1′ and F2′ on the other end side); and the adjustment unit 23 configured to adjust the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ in the regions at both ends in the width direction to the specific balance based on the detection results for the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′.

According to the conveying apparatus 1 of this embodiment configured to convey the sheet member 30, the forces which are applied to the roller member 7 and cause the tension variation in the sheet member 30 can be detected more accurately than in conventional techniques by detecting the forces applied by the sheet member 30 to the regions at both ends in the width direction of the first roller member 7 as the plurality of force components F1 and F2 and the plurality of force components F1′ and F2′. The tension variation when conveying the sheet member 30 can be sufficiently reduced by adjusting the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ in the regions at both ends in the width direction to the specific balance, based on the detection results for the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ thus accurately detected.

In the conveying apparatus 1 of this embodiment configured to convey the sheet member 30, the adjustment unit 23 is configured to adjust the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ that correspond to each other in the regions at both ends in the width direction so that the difference therebetween is reduced.

According to such a configuration, the tension variation when conveying the sheet member 30 can be sufficiently reduced by the adjustment unit 23 adjusting the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ that correspond to each other in the regions at both ends in the width direction so that the difference therebetween is reduced.

In the conveying apparatus 1 of this embodiment configured to convey the sheet member 30, the roller members 7 and 8 include the first roller member 7 and the second roller member 8 arranged on at least one of the upstream side and the downstream side of the first roller member 7, the detection units 21 and 21′ are configured to detect the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ in the regions at both ends in the width direction of the first roller member 7, and the adjustment unit 23 is configured to adjust the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ in the regions at both ends in the width direction to the specific balance by adjusting the arrangement of at least one of the first and second roller members 7 and 8 (which is herein the first roller member 7).

According to such a configuration, the first roller member 7 and the second roller member 8 arranged on at least one of the upstream side and the downstream side of the first roller member 7 (which is herein downstream side) can convey the sheet member 30 while supporting the sheet member 30 by at least these roller members. Further, the tension variation when conveying the sheet member 30 can be reduced more sufficiently by the detection of the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ in the regions at both ends in the width direction of the first roller member 7 by the detection units 21 and 21′, the adjustment of the arrangement of at least one of the first and second roller members 7 and 8 (which is herein the first roller member 7), and the adjustment of the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ in the regions at both ends in the width direction to the specific balance.

In the conveying apparatus 1 of this embodiment configured to convey the sheet member 30, the detection units 21 and 21′ are configured to detect the plurality of forces Fb and Fc and the plurality of forces Fb′ and Fc′ selected from six forces that are three forces along three mutually different directions [(Fa, Fb, and Fc) or (Fa′, Fb′, and Fc′)] and three moments that rotate about the three directions serving as axes [(Ma, Mb, and Mc) or (Ma′, Mb′, and Mc′)], as the plurality of force components F1 and F2 and the plurality of force components F1′ and F2′.

According to such a configuration, the detection units 21 and 21′ detect the plurality of forces Fb and Fc and the plurality of force Fb′ and Fc′ selected from the aforementioned six forces to measure the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ in a plurality of directions, thereby enabling each of the force components F1 and F2 and each of the force components F1′ and F2′ to be measured simply and reliably. Accordingly, the tension variation in the sheet member 30 can be sufficiently reduced simply and reliably.

The method for conveying a sheet member of this embodiment is a method for conveying the sheet member 30 while the sheet member 30 is supported by a roller member (which is herein the first roller member) 7, the method including: detecting forces applied, by the sheet member 30 supported by the roller member 7, to the regions at both ends in the width direction of the roller member 7, respectively, as force components in a plurality of mutually different directions (which are herein the two force components F1 and F2 on one end side and the two force components F1′ and F2′ on the other end side); and adjusting the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ in the regions at both ends in the width direction to a specific balance, based on the detection results for the plurality of force components F1 and F2 and the plurality of force components F1′ and F2′.

According to the method for conveying the sheet member 30 of this embodiment, the forces which are applied to the roller member and cause tension variation in the sheet member 30 can be detected more accurately than in conventional techniques by detecting forces applied by the sheet member 30 to the regions at both ends in the width direction of the first roller member 7 as the plurality of force components F1 and F2 and the plurality of force components F1′ and F2′. The tension variation when conveying the sheet member 30 can be sufficiently reduced by adjusting the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ in the regions at both ends in the width direction to the specific balance, based on the detection results for the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ thus accurately detected.

In the method for conveying a sheet member of this embodiment, the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ are adjusted in the adjustment so that the difference between the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ that correspond to each other in the regions at both ends in the width direction is reduced.

According to such a configuration, the tension variation when conveying the sheet member 30 can be reduced more sufficiently by the adjustment of the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ in the regions at both ends in the width direction that correspond to each other so that the difference therebetween is reduced.

In the method for conveying the sheet member 30 of this embodiment, the first roller member 7 and the second roller member 8 arranged on at least one of the upstream side and the downstream side of the first roller member 7 convey the sheet member 30 while supporting it by at least these roller members, the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ in the regions at both ends in the width direction of the first roller member 7 are detected in the detection, and the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ in the regions at both ends in the width direction are adjusted to the aforementioned specific balance in the adjustment by adjusting the arrangement of at least one of the first and second roller members 7 and 8 (which is herein the first roller member 7).

According to such a configuration, the tension variation when conveying the sheet member 30 can be reduced more sufficiently by detecting the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ in the regions at both ends in the width direction of the first roller member 7 and adjusting the arrangement of at least one of the first and second roller members 7 and 8 (which is herein the first roller member 7) so as to adjust the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ in the regions at both ends in the width direction to the specific balance.

In the method for conveying the sheet member 30 of this embodiment, a plurality of forces Fb and Fc and a plurality of forces Fb′ and Fc′ respectively selected from six forces that are three forces along three mutually different directions [(Fa, Fb, and Fc) or (Fa′, Fb′, and Fc′)] and three moments that rotate about the three directions serving as axes [(Ma, Mb, and Mc) or (Ma′, Mb′, and Mc′)] are detected in the detection as the plurality of force components F1 and F2 and the plurality of force components F1′ and F2′.

According to such a configuration, the plurality of forces Fb and Fc and the plurality of force Fb′ and Fc′ respectively selected from the aforementioned six forces are detected, thereby enabling each of the force components F1 and F2 and each of the force components F1′ and F2′ to be measured simply and reliably. Accordingly, the tension variation in the sheet member 30 can be sufficiently reduced simply and reliably.

Next, the conveying apparatus 1 and the method for conveying the sheet member 30 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The portions in common with the aforementioned first embodiment will be denoted by the common reference numerals, and the descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the conveying apparatus 1 of this embodiment further includes a third roller member 9 arranged to form a nip portion together with the first roller member 7. Further, in the conveying apparatus 1, the first roller member 7 is configured to form the nip portion by being pressed by the third roller member 9.

Further, a drive roller is employed as the first roller member 7, and a driven roller is employed as the third roller member 9.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, forces are applied to both ends 11 a and 11 b in the width direction of the axle core 11 of the first roller member 7 due to the tension T1 applied to the first roller member 7 from the portion 30 a on the upstream side of the contact portion S of the sheet member 30 and the tension T2 applied to the first roller member 7 from the portion 30 b on the downstream side thereof, and in addition, further due to a pressure contact force N applied from the first roller member 7 to the third roller member 9. Further, the pressure contact force N is set to be larger than the tension T1, which allows the first roller member 7 to make pressure contact with the third roller member 9.

Further, the 6-component load cells serving as the detection units 21 and 21′ are configured to detect the total forces applied to the respective ends 11 a and 11 b of the axle core 11 of the first roller member 7 due to the tensions T1 and T2, and the pressure contact force N by classifying them into forces in two directions perpendicular to the axle core 11 and parallel respectively to the portion 30 a on the upstream side of the contact portion S of the sheet member 30 and the portion 30 b on the downstream side thereof (that is, the b-axis direction and the c-axis direction). More specifically, the 6-component load cells are configured to detect resultant forces Ft1 and Ft2 containing the force components F1 and F2 in the respective directions (the b-axis direction and the c-axis direction) and resultant forces Ft1′ and Ft2′ containing the force components F1′ and F2′ in the respective directions (the b-axis direction and the c-axis direction) at the respective ends 11 a and 11 b.

Further, the control unit 25 is configured to calculate the force components F1 and F2, the force component F1′, and the force component F2′ derived from the tensions T1 and T2 from the sheet member 30 by subtracting the forces in the respective directions (the b-axis direction and the c-axis direction) derived from the pressure contact force N from each of the resultant forces Ft1 and Ft2 and each of the resultant forces Ft1′ and Ft2′ in the respective directions (the b-axis direction and the c-axis direction) detected by the detection units 21 and 21′.

Other configurations in the conveying apparatus 1 of this embodiment configured to convey the sheet member 30 are the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore the descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

In the method for conveying the sheet member 30 of this embodiment using the conveying apparatus 1 configured as above, the first roller member 7 and the third roller member 9 convey the sheet member 30 to the downstream side while nipping it therebetween. Further, the detection units 21 and 21′ classify the total forces applied to the respective ends 11 a and 11 b due to the tensions T1 and T2 and the pressure contact force N into forces in the b-axis direction and the c-axis direction, to detect the resultant forces Ft1 and Ft2 containing the force components F1 and F2 in the respective directions and the resultant forces Ft1′ and Ft2′ containing the force components F1′ and F2′ in the respective directions. Then, the control unit 25 calculates the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ by subtracting the forces derived from the pressure contact force N from the resultant forces Ft1 and Ft2 and the resultant forces Ft1′ and Ft2′, to adjust the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ to the specific balance.

Other configurations in the method for conveying the sheet member 30 of this embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore the descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

As described above, in the conveying apparatus 1 of this embodiment configured to convey the sheet member 30, the first roller member 7 is a drive roller 23 that is driven by a rotational driving force. Such a configuration is therefore more useful because the inclination of the sheet member 30 can be suppressed in the drive roller that tends to affect the inclination more than the driven roller that freely rotates. Further, in the method for conveying the sheet member 30 of this embodiment, the first roller member 7 is the drive roller 23 that is driven by a rotational driving force. In the same manner as above, such a configuration is more useful because the inclination of the sheet member 30 can be suppressed in the drive roller that tends to affect the inclination more than the driven roller that freely rotates.

As has been described above, the aforementioned embodiments provide the method for conveying the sheet member 30 and the conveying apparatus 1 which are capable of sufficiently reducing the tension variation when conveying the sheet member 30.

The conveying apparatus 1 and the method for conveying the sheet member 30 according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention are as described above, but the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments, and the design can be appropriately modified within the scope intended by the present invention.

For example, the second roller member 8 is used in each of the aforementioned embodiments, but it is also possible to employ an embodiment in which the second roller member 8 is not used. Further, also for the second roller member 8, it is also possible to employ an embodiment in which force components in the regions at both ends in the width direction are detected, and the arrangement of the second roller member 8 is adjusted by the adjustment unit so that the difference between the aforementioned force components from each other is reduced based on the detection results, in the same manner as above.

Further, the angle formed by the portion 30 a on the upstream side of the contact portion S with the first roller member 7 of the sheet member 30 and the portion 30 b on the downstream side thereof is not specifically limited, and these portions may be arranged so as to be located perpendicular to each other or may be arranged so as not to be perpendicular.

Further, in each of the aforementioned embodiments, the force components F1 and F2 and the force components F1′ and F2′ in the two directions that are parallel respectively to the portion 30 a on the upstream side of the contact portion S with the first roller member 7 of the sheet member 30 and the portion 30 b on the downstream side thereof are detected, but the directions of the force components to be detected are not specifically limited.

Further, in each of the aforementioned embodiments, an embodiment in which the second roller member 8 is arranged on the downstream side of the first roller member 7 is shown, but the second roller member may be arranged on the upstream side of the first roller member 7, or the second roller member may be arranged on each of both the upstream side and the downstream side. Further, in each of the aforementioned embodiments, the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ are adjusted to the specific balance by adjusting the arrangement of the first roller member 7, but the arrangement of the second roller member 8 may be adjusted, or the arrangement of both the first and second roller members 7 and 8 may be adjusted, in order to adjust the force components to the specific balance. Further, in the case where the second roller member is arranged on each of the upstream side and the downstream side of the first roller member 7, the arrangement of at least any one of the three roller members may be adjusted in order to adjust the force components to the specific balance.

Further, in each of the aforementioned embodiments, the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ are adjusted to the specific balance by adjusting the arrangement of the roller members, but the adjusting method is not limited to adjusting the arrangement of the roller members as long as the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ can be adjusted to the specific balance. For example, the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ at both ends in the width direction of the sheet member 30 may be adjusted to the specific balance by the wind pressure generated by spraying air to both ends in the width direction of the sheet member 30 using an air damper, an air nozzle, or the like. Further, the force component F1 or F2 and the force component F1′ or F2′ at both ends in the width direction of the sheet member 30 may be adjusted to the specific balance, for example, by heating both ends in the width direction of the sheet member 30 using a heating device or the like. Further, as an embodiment for adjusting the arrangement of the roller members, it is also possible to employ an embodiment in which the inclination of the roller members is adjusted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, it is also possible to employ an embodiment, for example, in which two roller members 7 are provided, the sheet member 30 is fed from each of the two roller members 7 to the position A, and a laminate 35 is formed at the position A by laminating the two sheet members 30 using a laminating device 50 including a pair of laminating rollers 51 that form a nip portion together. In this case, it is also possible to employ an embodiment in which the sheet conveying apparatus 1 includes the first roller member 7 configured to convey the two sheet members 30 to the position A, and the sheet conveying method includes conveying the sheet members to the position A by the first roller members 7.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, it is also possible to employ an embodiment, for example, in which the sheet conveying apparatus 1 includes the third roller member 9 arranged to form a nip portion together with the first roller member 7, the first roller member 7 is configured to form the aforementioned nip portion by being pressed by the third roller member 9, the first roller member 7 is a driven roller, and the third roller member 9 is a drive roller (winding roller) capable of winding up the sheet member 30 to collect it as the roll body 33. In this embodiment, in the same manner as in the aforementioned second embodiment, forces are applied to the first roller member 7 due to the tension T1 applied to the first roller member 7 from the portion 30 a on the upstream side of the contact portion S of the sheet member 30, the tension T2 applied to the first roller member 7 from the portion 30 b on the downstream side, and the pressure contact force N applied to the third roller member 9 from the first roller member 7. Further, the tension T2 is generated by the winding by the third roller member 9.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1: Conveying apparatus -   3: Feeder -   5: Collecting part -   7: First roller member -   8: Second roller member -   9: Third roller member -   11: Axle core -   11 a, 11 b: End -   13: Roller part -   21: Detection unit -   23: Adjustment unit -   23 a: Support shaft -   23 b: Arm -   23 c: Piston -   23 d: Cylinder -   25: Control unit -   30: Sheet member 

1. A method for conveying a sheet member while the sheet member is supported by a roller member, the method comprising: detecting forces applied, by the sheet member supported by the roller member, to regions at both ends in a width direction of the roller member, respectively, as force components in a plurality of mutually different directions; and adjusting the force components in the regions at both ends in the width direction to a specific balance based on the detection results for the plurality of force components.
 2. The method for conveying a sheet member according to claim 1, wherein the force components are adjusted in the adjustment so that a difference between the force components that correspond to each other in the regions at both ends in the width direction is reduced.
 3. The method for conveying a sheet member according to claim 1, wherein the sheet member is conveyed while being supported by at least a first roller member and a second roller member arranged on at least one of an upstream side and a downstream side of the first roller member, the force components in the regions at both ends in the width direction of the first roller member are detected in the detection, and the force components in the regions at both ends in the width direction are adjusted to the specific balance in the adjustment by adjusting arrangement of at least one of the the first and second roller members.
 4. The method for conveying a sheet member according to claim 1, wherein the roller member is a drive roller configured to be driven by a rotational driving force.
 5. The method for conveying a sheet member according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of forces selected from six forces that are three forces along three mutually different directions and three moments that rotate about the three directions serving as axes are detected in the detection as the force components in the plurality of directions.
 6. A sheet member-conveying apparatus configured to convey a sheet member, the apparatus comprising: a roller member configured to convey the sheet member to a downstream side while supporting the sheet member; a detection unit configured to detect forces applied, by the sheet member supported by the roller member, to regions at both ends in a width direction of the roller member, respectively, as force components in a plurality of mutually different directions; and an adjustment unit configured to adjust the force components in the regions at both ends in the width direction to a specific balance based on the detection results for the plurality of force components.
 7. The sheet member-conveying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the adjustment unit is configured to adjust the force components that correspond to each other in the regions at both ends in the width direction so that a difference between the force components is reduced.
 8. The sheet member-conveying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the roller member includes a first roller member and a second roller member arranged on at least one of an upstream side and a downstream side of the first roller member, the detection unit detects the force components in the regions at both ends in the width direction of the first roller member, and the adjustment unit is configured to adjust the force components in the regions at both ends in the width direction to the specific balance by adjusting arrangement of at least one of the first and second roller members.
 9. The sheet member-conveying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the roller member is a drive roller configured to be driven by a rotational driving force.
 10. The sheet member-conveying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the detection unit is configured to detect a plurality of forces selected from six forces that are three forces along three mutually different directions and three moments that rotate about the three directions serving as axes, as the force components in the plurality of directions. 